User profile: Alien

User info
  • Registered
  • VerifiedYes

Forum posts

0
Forums > Living in Kunming > Life in Kunming

Haven't heard a dialogue quite like the one you've presented, but I can believe it. I'm not so sure how typical the last line of the dialogue is, but I've heard stuff like that and anyway I don't know your 'Asian' friends (I assume we're not talking about Pakistanis - the term 'Asian' is used peculiarly in both English and Chinese, and in many other languages). A 'racist' tendency (i.e., belief in 'races', with no clear definition) lies behind this (sometimes vaguely, sometimes rather specifically), I think. Anyway, you're right: 'waiguoren' usually (but not always) generally translates as 'White person', but also very commonly as 'other than 'huangzhongren', although for people with dark complexions and/or some degree of generalized 'African' features tend to be 'heiren' (as so many European speakers use the term 'Black'), as a subclassification of 'waiguoren'.
I also think that the 'waiguoren = European/American/Austrailan whitefolks' equation has a lot to do with the specific history of European/American semi-colonialism/semi-imperialism in China, which obviously has entered the culture in China. Similar to 'falang' (or farang) in Thailand and Laos (from the local pronunciation of 'French').
Perhaps a good reminder of the limits of literalist definitions and translations in practical communication.

0
Forums > Living in Kunming > Life in Kunming

Well, immigrant, to me, implies the idea of permanent settlement, and I think only some of us are thinking this way.
Truth is, I don't much like 'expat' either - strikes me as slightly neo-colonialist and probably about 'White People' - but then maybe that's just me.

0
Forums > Living in Kunming > What do you like about China?

I also like the fact that I can get around easily on my own in China, as most people speak a language that I can handle, having studied it (i.e., if I couldn't handle the language, I'm pretty sure I'd like China less).
I also generally like the attitudes & general good-naturedness and generosity I find in rural areas of China.

Classifieds

No results found.

Comments

•

Jim's article is, as usual, excellent, but although he mentions renovations, perhaps he has left off a few that are really quite extensive. For example, there is a tourist street in Jianshui that has all the 'traditional' curved Han-style shop roofs you might like to see, but they were all built since the first time I went there some 10 years ago. More recently, the old South Gate has been built from scratch - wasn't there 10 years ago either.
The significance of the Confucian temple should not be missed - the conquerors of Yunnan were Mongols, with Central Asian troops, many Muslim. The fact that a Muslim ruler built such a large structure in this far-away province is a good example of the nature of the rulers: they were big supporters, not only of Islamic learning, but of Confucianism and Buddhism as well. And by the Ming Dynasty, if not before, the fact that this was the second largest Confucian temple in China, after the one in Qufu, the Kong (Confucius) family home in Shandong, is a clear statement of the attitude of the dynasty towards this frontier, Han-minority province, which had been very much independent, and under non-Han rulers, before the Mongols: This place is Ours now, and b'god we're here to stay!
And then note the role played by Lin'an (Jianshui) during the massive 'Panthay Rebellion' against the Qing (Man, or Manchu rulers), led by Muslims but with numerous Yi and Han followers, which went on for 18 bloody years in the 19th century...
Yunnan's history is unique, and it's fascinating.

•

Doesn't it cost more in terms of the planet? And not necessarily cheaper in personal cash terms either. More comfortable too, and not faster to Chongqing - 3 hours, the article says - how much time would you spend getting to the airport, boarding the damn thing, then sitting scrunched up, getting baggage, etc.?

•

Good question, nnoble. My not-too-informed knee-jerk reaction would be to say no, but I'd be happy to consider any opinion that came with reasons.
Also the question: 'Does Kunming need this building...' makes me think of another one: who, precisely, is this 'Kunming' who either needs or doesn't need?

Reviews


By

Not quite what you'd call a jumping place, but not bad at all for rather standard US-type meals, not overly expensive, and with a really good salad bar that's cheap, or free with most dinner dishes after 5:30PM. You can get a bottle of beer or even wine if you really want to, but I've never seen anybody do it - maybe that's just to take out. Chinese Christian run, and they hire people with physical disadvantages, who are pleasant and helpful. Frequented by foreign (mostly North American) Christians and Chinese Christians - was started by a Canadian couple associated with Bless China (previously, Project Grace), who are no longer here, but no religious pressure or any of that. Steaks are nothing special, and I avoid the Korean dishes, which I've had a few times but which did not impress me.

As a shop and bakery, it's very good bread at reasonable prices, of various kinds (Y18 for a good multigrain loaf that certainly weighs well over a pound. Other stuff too, like granola and oatmeal that is local, as well as imported things, including American cornflakes and so forth, which some people seem to require.


By

Large portions, seriously so with the pizza, which is Brooklyn/American style, I guess. Convivial, conversational, good place to drink with good folks on both sides of the bar, especially after about 9PM.


By

Really good pizza and steaks. The wine machine fuddles me when I'm a bit fuddled, & seems unnecessary. Good folks on both sides of the bar.